Lamb vs Pickens?

Lamb and it's not really a hard decision for me:

He's a much better long term investment. Bigger proven track record, a play style designed to last (barring injuries), and no real drama there.
 
blueblood70 said:
It doesn’t matter if you think George Pickens is the better player, you’re not really watching. He looks spectacular, much like Dez Bryant, because he’s often making contested catches. That might look impressive, but it’s partly because he doesn’t get open as easily or as smoothly as CeeDee Lamb. If you haven't noticed lamb is actually open more, He has a better separation rate, and yeah he had a few drops but outside of that he's the better player for a quarterback it doesn't have to Chuck it up into coverage right now I need to see more from Pickens before we have this conversation.

Let’s wait to see what he does this year before talking about replacing the better player. Lamb has already shown he can succeed without a strong number two receiver next to him. Even without a good offense in 2023, he still produced. If you factor in the three games he missed last year due to injury, his stats would have matched or even topped Pickens’.

People are hyping up the idea of Pickens coming here and thriving in our system, but he couldn’t do it in Pittsburgh without protection. Lamb has proven he can perform without that help, while Pickens might struggle without a strong presence on the other side.

If you’re willing to take on some dead cap to move on from Lamb and sign Pickens to a long-term deal, you still have to factor in the wide receiver room. Cutting a proven player just to save a few bucks, only to overpay someone else at current market prices, doesn’t make sense, especially if together they end up costing more than just keeping CeeDee Lamb, who’s cheaper.

I don’t understand the logic here. Let’s watch both players closely this year. We’ve got a homegrown 88 who’s been consistent, proven he can produce without help, and earned Prescott’s trust.

Replacing him with someone who’s the opposite; less separation, not open as often, prone to becoming a distraction, never proven on his own, seems risky. George Pickens hasn’t been consistent, and his best year came here with all the protections and benefits. Be careful what you wish for.
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Disagree with some (not all) of the assessment on Pickens, but the Lamb assessment is how I feel also.

Dude can be a volume, chain moving receiver. And his style of play is likely to hold up until his early to mid 30s so long as injuries aren't a problem.

That's huge for Dak, but it could also be huge for Dak's replacement; a security blanket so to speak.
 
Hawkeye0202 said:
Chase.....You and I have covered this before (lol). I asked you then, like now, where are you getting $48M when he only has $7M guaranteed left AFTER THIS season. We save $22M with a post June 1 trade.....


  • $67M guaranteed at signing (signing bonus + 2024 salary + 2025 salary)
  • $26M 2026 compensation fully guarantees the 5th league day of 2025 (injury guaranteed at signing)
  • $7M of 2027 salary fully guarantees the 5th league day of 2026 (injury guaranteed at signing)
  • 2025-2028 Per Game Active Bonus: $58,823 ($1M)
Click to expand...
There are wide receivers making between 40 and 42.5 now, and you’re worried about cutting CeeDee Lamb and then paying new market prices for George Pickens, who hasn’t proven much yet. At least we still have Lamb for now.

By the end of this year, we’ll have a clear idea of whether keeping Pickens makes sense, but cutting Lamb over concerns about his price doesn’t seem smart when he’s the only consistent, proven wide receiver we have. Pickens doesn’t consistently get separation, isn’t as open, and hasn’t shown he can perform without help on the other side. Lamb has already proven all that, and if saving money is the goal, you can restructure his deal like before. His contract looks bigger now because of past restructures, but we’ve been paying less upfront.

The Cowboys should try to keep both, but if I had to decide today, Pickens would be gone. I’m sticking with the true Blue Cowboy, he was drafted here and hasn’t done anything to warrant being pushed off the team. Don’t be fooled by highlight-reel catches that look like Dez Bryant or Megatron pulling off wild, acrobatic grabs.

Yes, they’re impressive, but there’s a reason for them, he’s not getting open as much, doesn’t consistently create smooth separation, and has to make those types of catches. A quarterback would probably prefer the guy who runs better routes, gets open more often, is smoother and more consistent, and has already built that chemistry over time.

I just don’t get the comparison between Lamb and Pickens, and I’ve said it a few times already. There’s a big difference in how they run routes and get open. Fans seem impressed by leaping catches in traffic, but there’s usually a reason for all that traffic, he doesn’t get open as easily.

Sure, he can get open sometimes, but Lamb consistently creates separation, which not many others on this team do right now.

Aside from a few drops, he’s our most consistent and proven player. We can revisit this after the season, but trying to push him off the team with some weird cap gymnastics doesn’t work for me. At this point, I’m keeping Lamb over Pickens without hesitation.
Right now, this player sits 4th on the Cowboys’ all-time receptions list. Sure, he’s number one among tight ends, but that technically makes CeeDee Lamb 3rd all-time among wide receivers.

By the end of this year, barring injury, Lamb will likely pass Dez, putting him at either 2nd or 3rd all-time. He already holds the single season record for a wide receiver, and in just 14 games last year, he racked up nearly 1,100 yards. Had he not missed three games, he would’ve been closer to 1,300 yards, making his production right there with Pickens. Yet somehow, people are trying to push Lamb out the door.

Maybe Pickens looks more athletic with his leaping catches and double-team grabs, but to me, that’s because he isn’t consistently beating his coverage.

Sure, it’s nice to have a guy who can win those 50-50 balls, but I’d rather have someone like CeeDee Lamb, more in the mold of Jefferson or Chase, who can get open and catch the ball reliably game after game.
 
Nova said:
Disagree with some (not all) of the assessment on Pickens, but the Lamb assessment is how I feel also.

Dude can be a volume, chain moving receiver. And his style of play is likely to hold up until his early to mid 30s so long as injuries aren't a problem.

That's huge for Dak, but it could also be huge for Dak's replacement; a security blanket so to speak.
Click to expand...
Look that's understandable but I believe that the George Pickens assessment still needs to be proven only one way put him in a situation like Lamb was in 2023 there wasn't a very good tight end you know no impactful run game His WR2 was Brandon Cooks They didn't have much of anything and the offense in the play caller in my opinion nowhere near as good as what we had last year And what did Lamb do lamb went out and set a record for the Dallas Cowboys He proved he can do it in that situation he can be the guy He could be the only option on your offense and with the defense knowing that have a record setting year..

Pickens didn't do that over in Pittsburgh and they're going to say well it must be the quarterback I saw guys like Fitzgerald and others it didn't matter who the quarterback was I also saw Terrell Owens do the same thing everywhere he went he would put up 1000 with no problem or more and he was a touchdown machine..

Get that you can factor that in for Pickens if you want but Pickens right now had his best year with all the benefits he could ever ask for but he has not done it in the same mold that we've seen Chase Jefferson and Lambda that is why they're considered in the top five because they proved it already..


That's why I'm talking about Pickens right now even though he had a great year last year he makes acrobatic catches but I'm sorry he does not consistently get open and get the separation that Lamb does,

That's the thing can he once he gets this bloated contract gets all his guarantees and feels comfortable can he keep his Pittsburgh Pickens personality from REsurfacing?


And once he relaxes can he still dominate Because once he gets paid that kind of money he's not going to have the same protections on the other side Just like when they decided to take Lamb over Amari Cooper and let Cooper go it was both for money but they also saw Lamb what's gonna be the new number one and he showed he can handle it Pickens has not proved that.

I'd like to find a way to keep both but if I had to choose I'm taking Lamb right at this moment but hey maybe Pickens will surprise me this year and we even see a better version of him But again he has to prove that to me and that's why my assessment is the way it is because I have not seen it yet i've seen it with lamb..
 
Nova said:
Disagree with some (not all) of the assessment on Pickens, but the Lamb assessment is how I feel also.

Dude can be a volume, chain moving receiver. And his style of play is likely to hold up until his early to mid 30s so long as injuries aren't a problem.

That's huge for Dak, but it could also be huge for Dak's replacement; a security blanket so to speak.
Click to expand...
By the way just so you know I like Pickens I hope we find a way to keep both But my point is and there's nothing wrong with me calling George Pickens is more like Dez Bryant that's not a knock on George Pickens but Dez Bryant as he got older here those problems with the separation and having to go for jump balls and be really physical it dropped off quick He didn't have a long prime..

That's who I see George Pickens right now also Dez Bryant was very overly passionate at times and sometimes it got in the way of his game and it rubbed people the wrong way on the sidelines which I don't mind but that's the difference..

CD lamb It's more like MI, Yes both of those guys also can be a little bit passionate which most receivers can be kind of diva sometimes but not to the extent that Dez Bryant Terrell Owens and yes Pickens has got that reputation a bit in Pittsburgh and that's the thing He was on his best behavior last year but can that hold true if he got a big guaranteed contract if he got really comfortable can he handle the Dallas Cowboys spotlight alone when he starts getting criticized?

CD has already proven he can do it he puts his head down and he's very consistent He can handle the spotlight he can handle 88 that's why he's wearing 88 on his back..

Like I said Pickens is a great receiver I'd like to keep them both but I just believe Lamb is already answered all the questions he isn't number one he can do it without protection he can put his head down and be a professional Pickens the Jerry is still out I don't know if we'll see it here 'cause he would have to do it without Lamb..

It's gonna be hard to prove, But it's just my opinion what I see.. Can have a Catch fire have a massive prime part of your years like Dez Bryant or you can stay steady and put up big numbers like Michael Irvin and I think I'd rather have the steady consistent guy versus the quick rise and flame out guy..
 
blueblood70 said:
There are wide receivers making between 40 and 42.5 now, and you’re worried about cutting CeeDee Lamb and then paying new market prices for George Pickens, who hasn’t proven much yet. At least we still have Lamb for now.

By the end of this year, we’ll have a clear idea of whether keeping Pickens makes sense, but cutting Lamb over concerns about his price doesn’t seem smart when he’s the only consistent, proven wide receiver we have. Pickens doesn’t consistently get separation, isn’t as open, and hasn’t shown he can perform without help on the other side. Lamb has already proven all that, and if saving money is the goal, you can restructure his deal like before. His contract looks bigger now because of past restructures, but we’ve been paying less upfront.

The Cowboys should try to keep both, but if I had to decide today, Pickens would be gone. I’m sticking with the true Blue Cowboy, he was drafted here and hasn’t done anything to warrant being pushed off the team. Don’t be fooled by highlight-reel catches that look like Dez Bryant or Megatron pulling off wild, acrobatic grabs.

Yes, they’re impressive, but there’s a reason for them, he’s not getting open as much, doesn’t consistently create smooth separation, and has to make those types of catches. A quarterback would probably prefer the guy who runs better routes, gets open more often, is smoother and more consistent, and has already built that chemistry over time.

I just don’t get the comparison between Lamb and Pickens, and I’ve said it a few times already. There’s a big difference in how they run routes and get open. Fans seem impressed by leaping catches in traffic, but there’s usually a reason for all that traffic, he doesn’t get open as easily.

Sure, he can get open sometimes, but Lamb consistently creates separation, which not many others on this team do right now.

Aside from a few drops, he’s our most consistent and proven player. We can revisit this after the season, but trying to push him off the team with some weird cap gymnastics doesn’t work for me. At this point, I’m keeping Lamb over Pickens without hesitation.
Right now, this player sits 4th on the Cowboys’ all-time receptions list. Sure, he’s number one among tight ends, but that technically makes CeeDee Lamb 3rd all-time among wide receivers.

By the end of this year, barring injury, Lamb will likely pass Dez, putting him at either 2nd or 3rd all-time. He already holds the single season record for a wide receiver, and in just 14 games last year, he racked up nearly 1,100 yards. Had he not missed three games, he would’ve been closer to 1,300 yards, making his production right there with Pickens. Yet somehow, people are trying to push Lamb out the door.

Maybe Pickens looks more athletic with his leaping catches and double-team grabs, but to me, that’s because he isn’t consistently beating his coverage.

Sure, it’s nice to have a guy who can win those 50-50 balls, but I’d rather have someone like CeeDee Lamb, more in the mold of Jefferson or Chase, who can get open and catch the ball reliably game after game.
Click to expand...
Zero chance CD gets cut. If anything it will be an extension to reduce his cap hit for next season.
 
Havic said:
He still put up numbers while cd was out hurt
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Those same games you mean that Flournoy also dropped two 100 yard games, so that means we don't need Pickens just elevate FLO, he can do it as well.. It's not all we look at his consistency over a long period of time not two games..

Yes, by your assessment ,While CD Lamb was out Flournoy dropped some big games, So that means we don't resign Pickens for 2027 and FLO, should be the next man up and we just keep 88 because he is the Dallas Cowboys draft pick wearing 88 and hasn't done anything to lose his job yet.

I mean could you want to do that we could just say the three games he missed he would have over 1300 yards and probably seven touchdowns that's the projection and then Pickens would have lost a few yards so that means they would either been even or Lamb would have been ahead.hmmmm:muttley::popcorn::oldcouple:
 
Hawkeye0202 said:

I have debated this a bit with a couple of other posters. I mean, if you KNOW Lamb contract will need attention in 2027 and you KNOW he will continue to be your #1WR after 2027, why pay Pickens $27M for a one-year rental? Stephen clearly stated it will be a challenge to keep BOTH PLAYERS under huge contracts after next season. So we will see what happens but IMO, if Pickens has another CLEAN ALL-PRO year, the decision can get interesting.

https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/co...ckens-espn-hints-at-cowboys-future-wr-dilemma

Here's CeeDee's contract for some context........2027
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47611/ceedee-lamb
* 46M cap hit
* Only 7M guaranteed left his contract
* Post 6/1 trade
027 Dead Cap: $17,080,785
2028 Dead Cap: $31,211,570
2027 Savings: $29,000,000

CeeDee Lamb vs. George Pickens? ESPN Hints At Cowboys Future WR Dilemma​

Adam Schultz

1d

Partner
Click to expand...

I would not trust what Junior says even if he said water was wet.
 
Chasing6 said:
I

It has to do with the year the money is allocated to. You can guarantee money, pay it immediately as a signing bonus and kick the can down the road to when it hits the salary cap.

Guaranteed at signing does not mean all that money was allocated to the cap in his first year.

If he is cut next season, the dead cap is $52M.

If he is cut after the 2027 season it is still $31M.
Click to expand...
:huh:there is zero chance of the Cowboys releasing or cutting Lamb. You should know better. So what's the point of bringing that up?

Just so you know I agree as of today there's no question you keep Lamp but you Pickens runs back another clean all pro year then I think it's 50/50. In other words you can make an argument to keep both and trade one. That's how I see it
 
blueblood70 said:
There are wide receivers making between 40 and 42.5 now, and you’re worried about cutting CeeDee Lamb and then paying new market prices for George Pickens, who hasn’t proven much yet. At least we still have Lamb for now.

By the end of this year, we’ll have a clear idea of whether keeping Pickens makes sense, but cutting Lamb over concerns about his price doesn’t seem smart when he’s the only consistent, proven wide receiver we have. Pickens doesn’t consistently get separation, isn’t as open, and hasn’t shown he can perform without help on the other side. Lamb has already proven all that, and if saving money is the goal, you can restructure his deal like before. His contract looks bigger now because of past restructures, but we’ve been paying less upfront.

The Cowboys should try to keep both, but if I had to decide today, Pickens would be gone. I’m sticking with the true Blue Cowboy, he was drafted here and hasn’t done anything to warrant being pushed off the team. Don’t be fooled by highlight-reel catches that look like Dez Bryant or Megatron pulling off wild, acrobatic grabs.

Yes, they’re impressive, but there’s a reason for them, he’s not getting open as much, doesn’t consistently create smooth separation, and has to make those types of catches. A quarterback would probably prefer the guy who runs better routes, gets open more often, is smoother and more consistent, and has already built that chemistry over time.

I just don’t get the comparison between Lamb and Pickens, and I’ve said it a few times already. There’s a big difference in how they run routes and get open. Fans seem impressed by leaping catches in traffic, but there’s usually a reason for all that traffic, he doesn’t get open as easily.

Sure, he can get open sometimes, but Lamb consistently creates separation, which not many others on this team do right now.

Aside from a few drops, he’s our most consistent and proven player. We can revisit this after the season, but trying to push him off the team with some weird cap gymnastics doesn’t work for me. At this point, I’m keeping Lamb over Pickens without hesitation.
Right now, this player sits 4th on the Cowboys’ all-time receptions list. Sure, he’s number one among tight ends, but that technically makes CeeDee Lamb 3rd all-time among wide receivers.

By the end of this year, barring injury, Lamb will likely pass Dez, putting him at either 2nd or 3rd all-time. He already holds the single season record for a wide receiver, and in just 14 games last year, he racked up nearly 1,100 yards. Had he not missed three games, he would’ve been closer to 1,300 yards, making his production right there with Pickens. Yet somehow, people are trying to push Lamb out the door.

Maybe Pickens looks more athletic with his leaping catches and double-team grabs, but to me, that’s because he isn’t consistently beating his coverage.

Sure, it’s nice to have a guy who can win those 50-50 balls, but I’d rather have someone like CeeDee Lamb, more in the mold of Jefferson or Chase, who can get open and catch the ball reliably game after game.
Click to expand...
Pickens is easier to trade with zero Dead cap. Another strong season and clean season of maturity and his trade value should increase.
jazzcat22 said:
Here is some to consider.

Pickens catches everything within his catch radius.
CeeDee drops passes right in his hands.
Click to expand...
Everything is an exaggeration. He had 5 drops last season and I recall him stopping his route on a critical play during a game.
 
Bobhaze said:
It’s a nice problem to have Hawk.

But I have always believed that in the salary cap era we live in, it’s not worth having two top of the market WRs on the cap. IMO you don’t win SBs with the most expensive WR room in the league.

One way or another, we will probably have to make a decision between those guys. Perhaps even trade one.
Click to expand...
1. If your defense shows a huge improvement this year to where you believe another offseason can make it exceptional, then you tag and trade Pickens next summer and get whatever you can, maybe a 2nd. Then you draft or sign a legit #2 receiver.

2. If the defense is better but still near the bottom third of the league and disappointing despite the coaching change and additions, then I think you pay and keep Pickens, even if on another tag, and you try to draft his replacement. Your #2 doesn't have to be a #1 like Pickens, but your #2 cannot be a Terrence Williams, a Gallup, a washed Cooks, or a Flournoy. Unless you have a stud TE who can do everything, your #2 WR must be a guy who can beat coverage with some regularity.

The offense and receiving corps can afford a small step backwards from Pickens IF the defense is truly on the rise. If several signed and drafted players or the DC disappoints, then you cannot allow the offense to go backwards very much.

In my opinion, if you make big enough strides this year that you feel 2027 could be The YEAR, then you do whatever you have to do.
 
Chasing6 said:
Pickens is easier to trade with zero Dead cap. Another strong season and clean season of maturity and his trade value should increase.

Everything is an exaggeration. He had 5 drops last season and I recall him stopping his route on a critical play during a game.
Click to expand...
5 dropped? Between both Philly games he had about 8. 1 very critical drop that cost the game, or contributed to it immensely.
 
Hawkeye0202 said:

I have debated this a bit with a couple of other posters. I mean, if you KNOW Lamb contract will need attention in 2027 and you KNOW he will continue to be your #1WR after 2027, why pay Pickens $27M for a one-year rental? Stephen clearly stated it will be a challenge to keep BOTH PLAYERS under huge contracts after next season. So we will see what happens but IMO, if Pickens has another CLEAN ALL-PRO year, the decision can get interesting.

https://roundtable.io/sports/nfl/co...ckens-espn-hints-at-cowboys-future-wr-dilemma

Here's CeeDee's contract for some context........2027
https://www.spotrac.com/nfl/player/_/id/47611/ceedee-lamb
* 46M cap hit
* Only 7M guaranteed left his contract
* Post 6/1 trade
027 Dead Cap: $17,080,785
2028 Dead Cap: $31,211,570
2027 Savings: $29,000,000

CeeDee Lamb vs. George Pickens? ESPN Hints At Cowboys Future WR Dilemma​

Adam Schultz

1d

Partner
Click to expand...

Because we have a stupid FO with a 1 year plan every year
 
Bobhaze said:
It’s a nice problem to have Hawk.

But I have always believed that in the salary cap era we live in, it’s not worth having two top of the market WRs on the cap. IMO you don’t win SBs with the most expensive WR room in the league.

One way or another, we will probably have to make a decision between those guys. Perhaps even trade one.
Click to expand...
Tampa had a superb WR room last season...didn't really help.

WRs are where the sprinkles are but not where the donuts are made. :) I just now made that up. :)

Kidding aside....I think the position has a just one WR1 mentality built in. 2 and 3 can be pretty good (i.e. Godwin on the bucs)....but I don't think it's a position that stacking gives good return.
 
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